The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: hexhammeasure on August 11, 2013, 09:29:19 am

Title: flea beetle
Post by: hexhammeasure on August 11, 2013, 09:29:19 am

I have just started growing on an acre of old flower nursery ground this year and am inundated with flea beetle. The plan is to grow organically. any suggestions for controlling flea beetle? chinese cabbages are a write off and turnips and beetroot leaves are unusable

Title: Re: flea beetle
Post by: Fleecewife on August 11, 2013, 09:55:11 am

I have read that you can use an attachment on the front of whatever machine you have, consisting of a sticky board, which sweeps over the tips of the crop.  The beetles jump up and stick to the board.  It goes on the front so you don't disturb them before they can be trapped.   Sorry I don't have any more details.
 
When my children were young, one of my sons appointed himself chief flea-beetle squasher.  He would happily lie in the veg patch for hours squashing them.   Not helpful for an acre I know  :brocolli:

Title: Re: flea beetle
Post by: hexhammeasure on August 11, 2013, 01:56:12 pm

thanks FW I will look into that. Never heard of it before but like all good ideas a dose of  'now why didn't I think of that-itis struck!!

Title: Re: flea beetle
Post by: hexhammeasure on August 12, 2013, 02:06:53 pm

apparently garlic infused water will deter them but needs to be used about once a week